UConn Faces Much Tougher Test In N.C. State

EAST HARTFORD — — The N.C. State secondary got a lot of attention this week.

It got a lot last week, too, in a 35-21 loss to Tennessee after Vols quarterback Tyler Bray torched the Wolfpack, completing 27 of 41 passes for 333 yards. Both of his touchdown throws came at the expense of All-America cornerback David Amerson. The other corner, C.J. Wilson, missed the game and will miss the next three after being suspended by the NCAA for four games because of academic issues.

The Wolfpack (0-1) invade Rentschler Field for a noon-time game against UConn (1-0) Saturday (SNY, WTIC-1080 AM).

This probably would be a chops-licking scenario for a lot programs facing N.C. State this week. But a closer look reveals that it might not be for the Huskies, and in particular for sophomore quarterback Chandler Whitmer. After all, Amerson didn't become an All-American by getting beat.

"I can't really get caught up in all that," Whitmer said when asked about facing Amerson. "I just have to stay within my progression and recognize his strengths, know what he does well, try to avoid making mistakes based off the way he plays. Really, it's just staying within myself and doing what I'm coached to do."

Amerson had a bad outing. He got beat on 41- and 72-yard hits. It happens even to the best of them. Good defensive backs have short-term memory, and Amerson is one of the best. He led the nation — and set an ACC record — with 13 interceptions in 2011. Let's also keep in mind that in addition to being one of the classiest coaches in the game, Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien, a former major in the Marines, is a master motivator.

He will have spoken to Amerson.

What he might have said is Whitmer has thrown two interceptions in each of his last two public outings (UMass and the spring game) and is coming off a junior college season where he threw 14 picks.

Still, Whitmer is a serious upgrade from what has been under center at UConn in recent years. He was 15 of 25 for 219 yards against the Minutemen with one of his deep balls bouncing off the fingertips of Shakim Phillips.

"I thought Chandler really played well, without giving away the keys to the car," UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni said. "I thought he was pretty good in the pocket. I thought his ball security was excellent. I thought he pushed up and made some plays. He made some throws, could put a little velocity behind it. For his first game, I thought it was a good first game."

Whitmer is a competitor. He's good, talented and likes to win. No, he loves to win. He possesses an asset many quarterbacks don't with his excellent footwork and ability to make a play by keeping them moving. That will help UConn, but it could hurt if he forces something.

That's all on Whitmer.

"I'm competitive and I want to make plays, but I think that's how everybody is," Whitmer said. "But the smart thing to do is stay within myself and play smart. ... It's definitely tough, that's the truth, but you have to do it."

Doesn't the running game have to rock before Whitmer can start rolling? That could be the biggest challenge for the Huskies Saturday.

"The execution in the run game, we had some problems against UMass in regards to getting the right people blocked," Pasqualoni said. "We missed some blocks. We didn't execute some plays the way that we should have, and we didn't adjust fast enough through the course of the game to get that done, so we're looking to do a better job in those areas this week."

Running back Lyle McCombs rushed for 82 yards on 23 carries. That's not good enough. UConn must pound the ball for success on offense.

The defense sent a message last week, holding UMass to 59 yards. UMass never crossed into UConn territory. This week it faces a big, experienced offensive line. Special teams made a mark, too. UConn already has one of the top returners in the nation in Nick Williams. Kicker Chad Christen hit a 47-yard field goal in his first start. The coverage team blocked a punt for a touchdown.

UConn hasn't shown it can be a consistent threat in the passing game in about eight years. Yes, Whitmer shows promise, but he played his first Division I-A game last week, and UMass isn't N.C. State.

"It's definitely a different level, but it's just the next opponent on the schedule," Whitmer said. "That's just how we look at it. We take each team's strengths and weaknesses and recognize the competition we're playing. Yeah, it might be a different level, but we're still going to go out and compete the same way every week."